Detroit Auto Show 2002 Highlights

Dodge M 80 Concept

"This year's concept vehicles are all designed for the millennial generation,'' said Dave McKinnon, Vice President for Design at the Chrysler Group. "We found that one of the products that the market lacks for this group right now is what they call 'a real hot pickup truck, just for me, a friend and our gear.' The Dodge M80 concept is like 'son-of-Power Wagon.' It's an in-your-face pickup truck that is light, lean, agile, with four-wheel drive and a powerful engine.''

The Dodge M80 is a small, affordable truck with a design loaded with character and intrinsic value. Minimalist, new, neat design details are abundant as stand-out design elements include the satin-stainless steel-look signature Dodge-crosshair grille and headlamp surrounds, classic round lamps and the metallic slate-gray, molded-in-color PET-plastic fenders and bumpers with integrated tow-hooks.

In profile, M80 offers simple, chiseled lines enhanced by the fender vent vanes, push-button door handles, integrated PET-plastic side-storage lockers, dual spin-off fuel-filler caps in satin-stainless steel-look and stamped-steel 20`` wheels and 265/50R20 Goodyear tires. The useful five-foot bed is protected by a durable PET-plastic liner and bulkhead and incorporates myriad tie-down cleats compatible with MOPAR bike-, ski- and surfboard racks. The tailgate features ''stamped-through`` lettering for the Dodge and 4x4 emblems. Oversized, performance-tuned dual exhaust pipes and jewel-like round tail lamps complete the exterior highlights.

The back of the cab features a full-width flipper-glass. Adds Opfer: "It not only has a clean, modern design, but it is truly functional. You can easily get to your gear in the back, and if the bed is not long enough, you can open the flipper-glass and add the cabin to your load-length.''

Dodge M80's interior was designed by Jeff Gale, who expanded upon John Opfer's mission of finding practical solutions for difficult design dilemmas. "This concept asked for a no-frills, rugged and durable interior,'' said Gale. "And, it should offer unexpected and youthful features.''

Gale said that is why there is an abundance of Detonator Yellow body-color sheet-metal panels on the inside of M80, enhanced by satin-silver hard-plastic covers and water-repelling Neoprene-look seat-trim. The center console doubles as a portable cooler while the lightweight seats can be removed and used outdoors. Behind the fold-flat seats is a vehicle-wide bin for wet-goods such as shoes, umbrella or a snowboard. The instrument panel features a large storage drawer.

The driver is kept informed by simple, easily understood, back-lit satellite gauges, offering just basic information. The speedometer and tachometer are co-axial, using one set of numbers for speed and revs (x100). Large rotary knobs operate the audio and heating systems, while classic "ball- and-socket''-style vents direct the airflow in the interior. M80's performance image is accentuated by billet-aluminum foot pedals.

Based on a Dodge Dakota frame with independent short-and-long-arm front suspension and a solid axle with leaf springs in the rear, M80 incorporates a high percentage of existing corporate components, making it affordable to build. Power comes from Chrysler Group's all-new 3.7-liter V-6 engine coupled to a carry-over 5-speed manual transmission and 4x4 transfer case.